Jacket type spinkling and spraying device



Nov. 14, 1967 c. J. DE COSTE 3,352,364

JACKET TYPE SPRINKLINGAND SPRAYING DEVI-CE Filed Sept. l7, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Clarence J. DeCas/e INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,352,364 JACKET TYPE SPRINKLING AND SPRAYINGDEVICE Clarence J. De Coste, 58 Shore Road, East Providence, RI. 02915Filed Sept. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 487,989 4 Claims. (Cl. 169-1) ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE A portable fire-fighting apparatus which isself-contained and includes a manually operable and controlled nozzleand a sprinkler mounted on the apex of a helmet or hard hat whichdischarges water or other fire-fighting fluid laterally outwardly in amanner not only to assist in putting out a fire but also to protect theuser from burn injury and other dangerous conditions which he mayencounter such as conditions of extreme heat, exposure to flames and thelike. A self-contained tank which can be pressurized together with acontrol valve is provided with the tank being integral with a jacket tofacilitate movement to the user without interference from the apparatus.

This invention relates generally to portable fire fighting and fireprotective apparatus and more specifically to a jacket type portabledevice adapted to be worn by a fireman or other person engaged in savingthe lives of those trapped in flame engulfed areas and includes a hatmounted means useful in conjunction with the device for the purpose offighting fires.

Many persons have died or have been seriously injured while fightingfires or while attempting to rescue those trapped by fires due to theextreme heat and flames normally attendant to such fires. Variousprotective devices have been devised to provide protection for suchpersons; however, these devices have proved to be generallyunsatisfactory due to the rather high cost and/or weight thereof.

Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide alightweight fire fighting and fire protective apparatus which isinexpensive to manufacture while at the same time being extremelyeflicient for its intended purpose.

In accordance with the above object, it is a further object of thepresent invention to provide a fire protective device adapted to be wornon the body of the user and including built-in fluid containing,spraying and dispensing features.

It is another object of the present invention to provide fire fightingapparatus adapted to be worn on the users head and body including noveland unique tank means and fluid outlet means for enabling the user toeffectively fight fires while at the same time be protected from theextreme conditions encountered thereby, leaving his hands free toperform other required functions.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide novel hatmounted fluid sprinkler structure useful for protecting the wearer fromflames or excessive heat while fighting fires or the like.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the device embodying the subjectmatter of the present invention being worn by a user thereof in itsintended manner;

FIGURE 2 is a partial enlarged perspective view of the 3,352,354Patented Nov. 14, 1967 device embodying the subject matter of thepresent invention in place on a user thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a partial elevational' view of the hose nozzle comprising aportion of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the planeof the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3,;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged. view partially in vertical section andpartially in side elevation of the fire fighting device comprising thepresent invention;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 5 partially in verticalsection and partially in rear elevation; and

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view takensubstantially on the plans of the line 7-7 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, reference numeral 10denote generally the fire fighting device comprising the presentinvention. The fire fighting device 10 comprises a jacket 12 preferablyof approximately fingertip length and fabricated of rubberized or heavyduty plastic generally fire and heat repellent material. The jacketincludes conventional closures or clasps 14 for fastening thereof andfurther has a sack or pouch 16 of similar material bonded or molded tothe rear portion thereof as indicated by reference numeral 18. Thedimensions of the pouch are preferably 16 inches wide by 24 inches highby 6 inches deep thereby enabling the pouch to contain slightly overnine gallons of conventional fire fighting fluid 20 in the chamber 26defined therein. However, it will be appreciated that the volume of thepouch 16 may be either increased or diminished if so desired.

The pouch 16 includes a threaded stem 24 defining an opening in theupper wall 23 thereof, and a cap 22 which may be screwed on thestem 24for closing or opening the opening in the pouch 16. The stem 24 isbonded or molded in an opening in the upper wall 23 of the pouch, theopening in stem 24 being provided in order to introduce conventionalfire fighting fluid material 20 into the chamber 26 within the pouch. Adischarge tube 28 is also mounted in the stem 24 and extends downwardlyin the chamber 26 terminating in an open end 30 adjacent the bottom wall27 of the pouch.

In order for the fluid 20 to be discharged upwardly through tube 28 andstem 24, the fluid level generally indicated by reference numeral 30 isnormally below the upper wall 23 of the pouch, thereby leaving an emptyspace 34 in the upper portion of the chamber 26 when the chamber isfilled to level 30 with fluid 20. A charging valve 36 is mounted in theupper wall 23 for introducing charging media, such as air or otherconventional charging fluid into the empty portion 34. The valve 36 maybe of any conventional variety, it being contemplated that a Schradervalve will be suitable for the intended purpose. Thus, the pouch may becharged, thereby creating pressure on the fluid 20 which causes thefluid to rise in pipe 28. Except for cap 22 the fluid would thereby beforced out of the pouch under pressure.

The screw cap 22 has a conventional pressure reducing valve 38 mountedon the upper portion thereof, the pressure reducing valve 38 alsoincluding a pair of T-arms 40 and 42 leading therefrom. A handle 44 ismounted on the valve control stem 46 for conventionally operating thepressure reducing valve 38 in a manner well known to those skilled inthe art. Thus, by operating the handle 44 the valve 38 may be opened orclosed to allow the fluid 20 to flow through the T-arms 40 and 42. Thearms 40 and 42 include conventional threaded nipples 48 and 50 on theouter ends thereof into which are threaded the threaded ends of a pairof hoses 52 and 54. The hoses 52 and 54 having mounting nuts 56 and 58thereon to retain the threaded ends thereof in the nipples 48 and 50.

The hose 54 includes a spray nozzle 60 threadedly received at 62 on theend thereof opposite the end coupled to nipple 50.The nozzle 60 is ofgenerally conventional configuration comprising a metal spray nozzleincluding the operating handle 64 thereon having valve operating rod 66attached thereto for operating a conventional internally mounted valve.Further, it is anticipated that the spray from the nozzle may beadjusted in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The jacket12 includes a mounting bracket 68 attached to the front portion thereofby conventional attaching means such as threaded coupler 70 and bondedportion 72. The mounting bracket 68 is provided for hanging the nozzle60 therein when the nozzle is not in use, as illustrated in FIGURES 3and 4, thereby providing a readily accessible position for the nozzle 60while at the same time allowing the nozzle to be retained out of the wayof the user of the device.

The hose 52 is coupled at the end remote from nipple 48 to a hat mountedsprinkling device generally denoted by reference numeral 74. Thesprinkling device 74 is mounted on a conventional fireman-type hat 76,which hat ispreferably fabricated of Plexiglas or other substantiallysturdy and lightweight material. The hat 76 includes a chin mountingstrap 78 for retaining the hat on the users head, and a flat portion 80at the apex thereof at which point the spray nozzle 74 is mounted. Thehose 52 is connected to the spray nozzle 74 by threaded coupling 82. Thespray nozzle 74 includes a body portion 84 of generally cylindricalconfiguration including a fluid receiving chamber 86 opening at 88 as aninlet to the hose 52. Mounted at'the top of the body 84 and rotatablyheld therein by the peripheral notch 90 in the inner wall of body member84 is the. rotating sprinkler section 92. A mounting flange 93 isretained in notch 90 by cap 100. The rotating sprinkler section 92includes an upstanding body portion 94 opening at one end to chamber86and four integrally formed arms of identical construction 96 extendingperpendicularly therefrom in oppositely paired relationship. Each arm 96is open at one end to the body portion 94 and is preferablyapproximately two inches long by one-half inch in diameter. However, aswill be appreciated, the size of the arms may be varied. Each arm 90includes a sprinkler orifice 98 in the same side thereof and adjacentthe end opposite the end opening to body 94. Thus, insofar as thesprinkler section 92 is rotatably mounted on the body member 84 and heldthereon by cap 100, when the fluid 20 is forced under pressure throughhose 52 into chamber 86 and upwardly through the body member 94 into thearms 96, the fluid will be sprayed out of the orifices 98 therebycausing rotation of the sprinkler section 92 as the fluid is projectedfrom the sprinkler orifices due to the force impaired to the armsthereby. Further, the body portion 94 is capped by a capping member 102having a pair of sprinkling orifices 104 and 106 therein, therebyallowing the fluid 20 under pressure to be projected upwardly andoutwardly therethrough.

A circular metal guard 108 is maintained in encircling relationship tothe sprinkler section 92 by being mounted on the body member 84 by aplurality of arms, 110, which arms 110 are braised or welded orotherwise mounted on the body member as illustrated at 112. The arms 110are joined at their upper end by an encircling generally circular guardmember 114 which together with the arms 110 protects the sprinkler 92 incase the hat 76 is inadvertently knocked to the ground. Incidentally, inthis regard, if the hat 76 were to be knocked oft" the users head, thehose 52 will enable the user to quickly recover it, thereby eliminatingthe possibility of losing the hat.

The valve 38 permits fluid to be conveyed to the spray nozzle 60 andsprinkler section 92 at the same time when the control handle 44 isoperated. Of course, when the handle 44 is turned to open the valve 38,the sprinkler section 92 will be immediately activated. However, in

order to allow the fluid to flow from the nozzle 60 the valve thereinmust be opened by handle 64. Thus, when,

valve 38 and the valve in nozzle 60 are both opened, fluid will flowfrom both the nozzle 60 and sprinkler section 92, whereas if the valvein nozzle 60 is not activated fluid will only flow from sprinklersection 92. If the valve 38 is only partially open, of course, thepressure of the fluid through the hoses 52 and 54 will be relativelyslight and the fluid will be sprinkled or sprayed only in close areas.However, if the valve 38 is fully opened, the pressure will be greaterand the liquid will be sprayed into a larger area. Further, the distanceof spray from the nozzle 60 is variable by the handle 64 and controlvalve contained therein.

Thus, it willbe appreciated that the present invention comprises anextremely useful and novel device for firemen or others engaged inhelping people escape from fire enveloped areas. The hat mountedrotating sprinkler section 92 will protect the fireman from the flamesor excessive heat by allowing fluid to form an umbrella-like shieldabout him, and the fluid may alsobe conveyed from nozzle 60 to sprayflames or may be turned on the operator in order to protect himself fromflames and heat. Further, the sack or pouch 16 may be filled with fluid,charged and stored on a fire truck or the like along with the hat inorder to allow firemen to quickly put the device onin case ofemergencies when the use of the device is called for. At this time, thedevice can be quickly activated merely by turning handle 44, and thedevice may be used either with or Without the handheld nozzle 60.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A portable fire fighting device comprising means for containing aquantity of fire fighting fluid in charged pressurized condition, meansfor supporting said containing means on the body of the userof thedevice, means for controlling the flow of fluid from said containingmeans, and means communicating with said flow control means fordirecting a flow of fluid fromsaid containing means, said containingmeans including jacket means adapted to be worn by the user of thedevice, and a fluid receiving chamber integral with said jacket means,'said fluid control means comprising valve means in communication withsaid chamber, means for controlling the rate of fluid flow through saidvalve means, and said chamber including selectively closable chargingport means therein for allowing the fluid therein to be charged, saiddirecting means comprising a pair of hose means, each said hose meanscommunicating at one end with said valve means,

a first of said hose means including nozzle. means on the other endthereof, said nozzle means adapted to be held in the users hand fordirecting and regulating the fluid flow through said first hose means,the second hose means communicating at the other end thereof with fluidsprinkler means, said sprinkler means mounted on supporting meansadapted to be Worn on the users head.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprises ahat, said hat including a flattened apex portion and said sprinklermeans being mounted on said flattened portion of said hat.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said sprinkler means comprisesfluid receiving chamber means adapted to receive said second hose meansin connection therewith, a plurality of arm means rotatably mounted onsaid chamber means, said arm means having fluid outlet ports therein fordirecting the fire fighting fluid therefrom, said arm means being causedto rotate by the force imparted thereto by said fluid as it isdischarged from said outlet 2,195,811 4/1940 Bramsen et a1. 1691 ports.2,589,213 3/1952 Allen 169-1 4. The combination of claim 3 includingguard means 2,632,163 3 /1953 Spandan 169 1 mounted on said chambermeans in substantially encir- 2 803 826 8/1957 Johnston cling guardingrelationship to said arm means. 5 3223172 12/1965 Moss References CitedP UNITED STATES PATENTS 153,346 9/1953 Australia. 1,953,331 4/1934Armstrong 169-2 2,162,057 6/1939 Brandt et a1. 239154 10 EVERETT W.KIRBY, Primary Examiner.

1. A PORTABLE FIRE FIGHTING DEVICE COMPRISING MEANS FOR CONTAINING AQUANTITY OF FIRE FIGHTING FLUID IN CHARGED PRESSURIZED CONDITION, MEANSFOR SUPPORTING SAID CONTAINING MEANS ON THE BODY OF THE USER OF THEDEVICE, MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF FLUID FROM SAID CONTAININGMEANS, AND MEANS COMMUNICATING WITH SAID FLOW CONTROL MEANS FORDIRECTING A FLOW OF FLUID FROM SAID CONTAINING MEANS, SAID CONTAININGMEANS INCLUDING JACKET MEANS ADAPTED TO BE WORN BY THE USER OF THEDEVICE, AN A FLUID RECEIVING CHAMBER INTEGRAL WITH SAID JACEKT MEANS,SAID FLUID CONTROL MEANS COMPRISING VALVE MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITHSAID CHAMBER, MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE RATE OF FLUID FLOW THROUGH SAIDVALVE MEANS, AND SAID CHAMBER INCLUDING SELECTIVELY CLOSABLE CHARGINGPORT MEANS THEREIN FOR ALLOWING THE FLUID THEREIN TO BE CHARGED, SAIDDIRECTING MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF HOSE MEANS, EACH SAID HOSE MEANSCOMMUNICATING AT ONE END WITH SAID VALVE MEANS, A FIRST OF SAID HOSEMEANS INCLUDING NOZZLE MEANS ON THE OTHER END THEREOF, SAID NOZZLE MEANSADAPTED TO BE HELD IN THE USER''S HAND FOR DIRECTING AND REGULATING THEFLUID FLOW THROUGH SAID FIRST HOSE MEANS, THE SECOND HOSE MEANSCOMMUNICATING AT THE OTHER END THEREOF WITH FLUID SPRINKLER MEANS, SAIDSPRINKLER MEANS MOUNTED ON SUPPORTING MEANS ADAPTED TO BE WORN ON THEUSER''S HEAD.